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Lockett's return highlights K-State's special showing

MANHATTAN — North Texas had just put No. 15 Kansas State in its first hole of the season, and Tyler Lockett knew he needed to make something happen.

The sophomore standout did just that, fielding the ensuing kickoff and darting 96 yards for a touchdown that evened the score and shook K-State from its early slumber.

Just how important was Lockett’s return to the Wildcats’ eventual 35-21 victory Saturday night?

“It was major,” K-State coach Bill Snyder said. “I mean that probably was the difference in the ballgame.”

On a night when K-State took steps backwards in a number of areas, Lockett’s timely return topped a solid special teams showing for K-State, which also blocked a field goal.

“Special teams saved us,” Snyder said.

Lockett said his third third career kickoff return for a touchdown gave life to a team whose heartbeat was beginning to fade.

“I think it was a big swing because we needed a spark in the game to keep going because the offense started off slow and the defense started off slow,” said Lockett, who totaled 119 return yards. “So just to be able to give that little spark, I think it inspired a lot of people to keep going and luckily that’s how we came out with the victory.”

Lockett now sits in second place in the K-State record books with his three kickoff-return TDs — behind only Brandon Banks at five — but he credited his teammates for his latest score.

“Overall I think it was a great play thanks to the other 10 players that were out there helping me,” he said. “Luckily we found a hole and everybody made their blocks and then Tramaine (Thompson) made that great block at the end to allow me to run to the end zone.”

K-State (3-0) also benefitted from another special teams play later in the first half, after the Mean Green saw a drive stall at the 28-yard line. Multiple Wildcats got pressure up the middle of the line on North Texas’ field goal attempt, and Vai Lutui elevated and caught a piece of the kick with his hand to keep the game tied at 7.

The kickoff unit also did all it could to help the Wildcat defense at the start of the second half by pinning the Mean Green on its own 12-yard line. The defense failed to take advantage, however, allowing the Mean Green to go 88 yards on 14 plays for a touchdown.

“We gave up a couple of bad returns on kickoffs in the third quarter,” Snyder said. “Aside from that, I thought we played extremely well on special teams. It made a difference in the ballgame.”